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WEDNESDAY 18足20 DECEMBER 2013
Unveiled statue
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Results given at CUT TATE MAKGOE, the Free State Education MEC, will on Tuesday, 7 January 2014, officially announce the provincial 2013 results in the Boet Troskie Hall at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State. Approximately 28 010 full-time and 3 208 part-time candidates wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations from 28 October until 29 November 2013. The examination went smoothly and without disruptions. During the event, the 100 top performing learners in the Free State will be honoured at the function. About 700 guests, including parents, teachers, private sector representatives and members of the executive council, are expected to grace the occasion. Free State Premier Ace Magashule will deliver the keynote address. In 2012 the Free State Department of Education obtained a 81,1% pass rate and the target for 2013 is 85%.
Good wishes for festivities EXPRESS STAFF MEMBERS wish all clients and readers a merry Christmas and a prosperous 2014. This is the last edition of Express for 2013 and the first one in the new year will be published on 15 January.
FATHER OF THE NATION: A 9足metre high statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled at the Union Buildings on Monday as the country celebrated the Day of Reconciliation. Mandela was buried on Sunday after he had passed away on 5 December. Photo: Alet Pretorius
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HUNDREDS of people came to pay their respects at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service at the Christian Revival Church last week. The 95yearold icon was buried on Sunday in Qunu, Eastern Cape. Photos: Maradine Whitehorn
Legislature pays tribute } Selloane Khalane
“MANDELA is a product of the struggle, honed by the ANC,” said the Free State premier, Ace Magashule, last week at the Free State Legislature. The legislature convened a special sitting to pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela. Members of the legislature praised Mandela for selflessly serving humanity and instilling the ideals of equality and reconciliation. Deemed the greatest statesman of the 20th Century by the Cope Free State leader, Caska Mokitlane, the Free State Social Development MEC, Sisi Ntombela, said Mandela forgave even those who had persecuted him. “As a nation we can never forget where we come from lest we forget the injustices that were inflicted on our people,” Ntombela explained. Speaker after speaker spoke about Madiba’s remarkable ability to bridge the racial divide. “Tata was not a populist, he was not excited by being praised by others, that’s how humble he was,” said the Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Olly Mlamleli. “Mandela was not a God, he was an extraordinary human being, compassionate about humanity,” Mlamleli added. The DA member in the legislature Peter Frewen passed his condolences to the family and said Mandela was the greatest South African leader that had ever lived. William Bulwane, ANC Free State secretary, remembered the strict and punctual Madiba who had always urged young people to pursue education. “I am not your comrade, I am your grandfather,” Bulwane said recalling an encounter he had in a lift with Mandela.
ACE MAGASHULE, the Free State premier, chats to Gwede Mantashe, ANC secretarygen eral, during last week’s memorial service at the Christian Revival Church.
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Uniting people even after his death LIKE only he could, the death of former President Nelson Mandela has brought together South Africans of all creeds. This was the scene at the Cape Town Stadium last week ahead of his funeral which was on Sunday. The question that remains, is: Will we be able to carry on his legacy? Photo: Liza van Deventer
Offers his support at service in Qunu PRES. JACOB ZUMA is flanked by Winnie MadikizelaMandela (left) and Graça Machel during Nelson Mandela’s state funeral on Sunday in Qunu. The 95yearold iconic statesman died after a long illness on 5 December in his Houghton home in Johannesburg.
Photo: Felix Dlangamandla
New traders’ club to meet EVERY business needs support and often it does not have to take the form of a huge injection of capital, but rather some sound business advice and the development of a network of local support that can really get a business to take off. This is exactly what has happened with the ROOTs Trader Club (RTC) that was started by the Culture Corporation with the support of the Thabo Community Action Trust (TCAT) in Botshabelo in October 2012. TCAT is a non-governmental organisation which is aimed at developing
Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo through various initiatives, hence the name Thabo. The members of the RTC are all small to medium business owners. Their businesses include clothing, cleaning, food retail and even farming. The group of business owners meet regularly and share their business challenges and successes. All the members are committed to helping one another and supporting one another’s businesses. In August, 18 members of the club qualified for carefully calculated small
loans from the TCAT and these took the form of an “Ishikwama” purse. The success of this club has paved the way for the birth of new traders’ clubs to be started in Thaba Nchu this month. All types of entrepreneurs, small and medium business owners, as well as farmers are invited to come to the first meeting of the new club tomorrow at 11:00 in the Barolong Hall in Thaba Nchu. For any queries and to confirm attendance of the meeting, contact Lesego Toka on 073-003-9072.
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Nelson Mandela one of a kind 2 TIMOTHY (4:6 to 8): “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Though the world mourns the passing of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, it’s an open secret that Mandela, like Paul the Apostle, had fought a good fight and finished his course. This is the man who sacrificed his freedom so that we could be free, he risked his life to save our lives and spent decades in jail so that we could live in the comfort of our homes. Mandela was a paragon of
My view Lehlohonolo Nyetanyane Social observer human virtue, a statesman extraordinaire, a political troubadour of note, a liberator par excellence, a deluxe negotiator, a catalyst of freedom and indeed, humility personified. The Apartheid regime labelled him persona non grata for his love of the people. The late Mandela was a rare breed of African leadership. Like the prophet Moses, Mandela proverbially parted the waters of Apartheid for the oppressed black nation to cross to a promised democratic South Africa. As if emulating the prophet Joseph, Mandela magnanimously provided for those who had
earlier mauled him. In a typical Jesus Christ modus, he forgave those who had persecuted him and had spat in his face. He unreservedly forgave them, for they knew not what they were doing. Mandela was he who let children come to him, for the kingdom of Heaven is such as theirs. Paradoxically, Mandela said: “I’m not a saint unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.” Mandela was there when the ANC Youth League was established on 7 September 1944. He attended the adoption of the Freedom Charter in Kliptown on 26 June 1955. He witnessed the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe on 16 December 1961. Mandela audaciously accepted the presidential baton from Oliver Tambo on 5 July 1991. He received the Nobel Peace Prize
Mandela was a paragon of human virtue, a statesman extraordinaire, a political troubadour of note, a liberator par excel lence, a deluxe negotiator, a catalyst of freedom and indeed, humility personi fied. on 15 October 1993 and the world marvelled with awe when this iconic leader ascended to presidency on 10 May 1994. Mandela saw his beloved country host a rugby and soccer World Cup in 1995 and 2010 respectively. In the light of the above, who will dare contest my assertion that Mandela’s life was a life well lived and his time was a time well spent?
None will forget his prophetic statement when he said: “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another or suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. “The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.” Rest in peace, your excellency, Madiba, Dalubunga, Ngqolamsila, Velabembentsele, Yemyem.
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The year 2013 in colourful quotes } Sidwell Guduka
THE year 2013 was good for some, but it certainly had its fare share of scandals. Here is a list of colourful quotes we prepared for you as we end the year 2013: “We have to change the perception that ANC members are corrupt just because of a few greedy individuals.” – Zweli Mkhize, the ANC treasurer-general, told the Free State ANC members at a rally held at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in January. “What happens in my school is not for public knowledge and I won’t answer your questions nor welcome the media at my school.” – Charlton Sondiyazi, the former principal of the Tjhebelopele Combined School, after Express had enquired about allegations by the parents of learners attending his school that he had abused his powers and had generally run the Phase 6 Bloemfontein-based school’s affairs in a dictatorial manner. “I’m hoping that I touch souls and that my music will be the ingredient of hope and an element of freshness and cheerfulness that someone is longing for out there. I’m hoping to create a legacy of timeless music, jams for every season and feeling.” – Boichoko Qwabe, a Kroonstad-born singer, said in an interview with Express in February, before releasing her album Simple Choko. “Not everyone will get a job with the contractor; but please prioritise those who are poorer. If we do not help those who are poorer, there is no hope for us as a society.” – Thabo Manyoni, the executive mayor of the Mangaung Metro Municipality, said as he handed over the piece of land for the construction of a hall to contractor Sathusa Busi Projects in Botshabelo’s Section F in February. “Don’t bring criminals to me alive, bring them to me dead. We are tired of criminals and we want to make the Free State a crime-free province. Our people should sleep with their doors open.” – Butana Komphela, Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, spoke in Qwaqwa as he handed over a new doublecab 4x4 to the local stock theft unit in February.
“How did the powers that be at the Lebohang Building decide that a company (or consortium) that does not have its own website must be awarded a R140 million contract to design the provincial government’s website? To be fair, let us suppose their presentation to the bid committee was so impressive that it did not matter that they did not have their own website.” – Jabulani Dlamini, the editor in chief of the Express newspaper, wrote in My View column with reference to the Free State government website saga on 13 March. “The problem with the awarding of these contracts in such a hasty manner is that the amounts alone indicate that these awards were not value driven and one rather gets the impression that a certain premium was paid to the contractors to get the work done in such a short space of time.” – Werner Horn, DA caucus leader in the Mangaung Metro, said referring to millions of rands paid to TAD Consultancy for the erection of former president Nelson Mandela’s statue on Bloemfontein’s Naval Hill.
‘Don’t bring criminals to me alive, bring them to me dead. We are tired of criminals and we want to make the Free State a crimefree province. Our people should sleep with their doors open.’ – Butana Komphela “We have declared education as an apex priority. Due to the legacy of Apartheid quality education is still concentrated in schools in areas where the majority is non-African. Worth celebrating is the fact that our province has the largest proportion of people with higher education qualifications after Gauteng and the Western Cape. All we need to do to keep these people in the province is to have a vibrant, fast-growing economy that is consistent with their aspirations.” – Seiso Mohai, the former MEC for Finance in the Free State, during the tabling of the 2013-’14 provincial budget at the Fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein. “In total R1,8 million down the drain. This is a waste of taxpayers’
money.” – Mbuyiselo Jacobs, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP)’s leader, said referring to the Maluti Dairy Farm project in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, which had lost cattle due to theft and alleged corrupt deals. “Ntate Molemela has been a vital part of a lasting football legacy and his contribution to soccer, to Celtic and to his friends and family is almost too hard to put into words. I still have so much respect for him today. He was ‘Mr Celtic’ for many, many years and he has been a great ambassador for soccer in our region.” – Khumbulani Konco, CEO of Bloemfontein Celtic, said about Petrus Molemela on his 80th birthday (16 April). “I truly wish Madiba would live forever. I also wish some journalists would have more ethics before completely distorting a message.” – This is what Prof. Jonathan Jansen, University of the Free State (UFS) rector and vice-chancellor, tweeted on 10 April following media reports quoting him as saying he wished former president Nelson Mandela would die. “We must pray for Mandela and celebrate his long life because a long life is a blessing. As we pray we must be in a celebratory mood. We must not be in a sombre mood as if we are mourning. A life well-lived is never mourned, but it is celebrated.” – Gwede Mantashe, ANC secretary-general, told congregations from different churches at the Prayer Service held on 30 June for the ailing Nelson Mandela at the Vista Arena in Bloemfontein. “I definitely thought we lost the game as opposed to the Bulls winning it. I thought in defence we handed them the advantage line in the first half, and in the second half we were better, but we made too many handling errors which led directly to their two tries. I thought the game was there to win and we let it slip, but it’s still a long season.” – Naka Drotské, the Toyota Cheetahs coach, told journalists after his side had been defeated 20-26 by the Vodacom Blue Bulls in April. “Poverty has no class or race, the ANC is for everyone and therefore helps everyone. My duty is to recruit minority groups closer to the ANC and dispel wrong perceptions about the party.” – Heinrich “Sandlana” Smit, a member of the
JULIUS MALEMA Free State Premier’s Intervention Unit for minority groups. “Our organisation is founded on the principles of anti-corruption. We are a protest movement. Anyone who is found guilty will never sit proudly and wear the beret of the Economic Freedom Fighters.” – Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, told reporters when he announced his political party in July. “The lives of girls are important to us. We believe that they are the future mothers of the nation. We also believe that by empowering them, we are empowering the nation.” Wiaan Vermaak, Cell C managing executive in the central region, told Express at the annual Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day campaign. “We are going to ensure that each and every child has access to this equipment. We are going to make sure that each and every
Photo: Motshwari Mofokeng
teacher has access to this equipment. To our teachers, don’t be afraid to break the machines (computers) – we have trained two guys to fix them. So you can break them. I don’t mean literally throw them and break them. All I mean, is don’t be afraid to press buttons because you think you were born before technology. With ITC we can all catch up. So, let’s make sure that we use this facility.” – Tate Makgoe, Free State MEC for Education, said at the launch of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Resource Centre on 2 July in Thaba Nchu. “It is clear that the Free State provincial government is serious about addressing the root causes of crime and other contributory factors. The Free State is leading the way and I sincerely hope to see other provinces doing the same.” – Riah Phiyega, national police commissioner, said at the launch of the crime prevention strategy in Bloemfontein’s Phase 4 in July.
‘Not everyone will get a job with the contractor; but please prioritise those who are poorer. If we do not help those who are poorer, there is no hope for us as a society.’ – Thabo Manyoni
Pick up something good Visit our new store KFC Rocklands
Shop S, Rocklands Shopping Centre Cnr. Moshoeshoe & Motlohi Street Rocklands, Bloemfontein
www.kfc.co.za
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Are you chicken? THE popular fastfood outlet Chicken Xpress recently opened a store at the Central Park Shopping Centre. Photos: Mpho Molise
SCHALK VAN HEERDEN (Aerocare), Herman Steyn (Shell Ultra City Pitstop), Elias Sease (Department of Police, Roads and Transport), Esmarié Cronjé (Life Rosepark Hospital) and Hein Rossouw (Life Rosepark Hospital). Photo: Sidwell Guduka
No mercy for drivers who drink and drive } Sidwell Guduka
CUSTOMERS sit down to enjoy a quick meal at Chicken Xpress in Central Park, Bloemfontein.
Houses handed over IT is often said that December is a time for giving and the Free State Provincial Government is staying true to this. Olly Mlamleli, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, will today hand over houses and title deeds to beneficiaries in Bluegumbosch, Qwaqwa. Mlamleli, along with some members of the Provincial Executive Council (PEC), also handed over houses and title deeds to beneficiaries in Petrusburg. In the 20th year of the anniversary of the 1913 Native Land Act that sought to deprive people of the right to land, reversing this legacy is in keeping with the promise made by the Freedom Charter’s security of tenure clause: “There shall be houses, security and comfort.” In October Mlamleli issued over 7 500 title deeds to municipalities for beneficiaries of government-subsidised homes. As part of Operation Hlasela held in Petrusburg during 2012, the provincial government had committed to embark on a programme of completion of all
incomplete houses. A project of 40 houses was undertaken, completed and the houses were handed over yesterday. Some of the beneficiaries in Petrusburg included oupa Dirk Pienaar who is older than 80 and a loner living in Sonder Water. Sophie Lekau, born in 1920, was also one of the proud beneficiaries. During Operation Hlasela earlier in 2013, The Free State Provincial Government visited Bluegumbosch where 500 two-roomed houses were identified to be demolished. Since then, the provincial government acted swiftly in completing over 350 houses of the targeted 500 for the financial year. The completed houses are now ready to be given over to their beneficiaries today. In an effort to heed the call of all aspirant homeowners and restore human dignity, the Free State Provincial Government has recently handed over houses in Schonkenville, Tumahole, Oranjeville, Deneysville, Dealesville, Rocklands and Heidedal in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and many other places throughout the province.
THE festive message to Free State motorists is clear: Drivers caught for excessive speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving will be locked up and not given the option of paying spot fines. Elias Sease, director of road safety at the Department of Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State, said that to Express on Thursday at the launch of the 2013 Life Rosepark Hospital Shell Ultra City Road Project in Bloemfontein. “There is a saying that goes prevention is better than cure. We want to appeal to motorists to drive carefully on our roads. Please don’t drink and drive because we’ll arrest you,” Sease said. “We are also appealing to pedestrians to be cautious and not drink and walk on our roads in order to avoid unnecessary accidents. Not only will they be putting their lives in danger by drinking and walking on the roads, but they will also be putting the lives of motorists and their passengers in danger,” he added. Sease also stressed the importance of medical and emergency services giving much needed assistance to motorists and victims involved in an accident. “The emergency services at a post-accident scene deliver a fundamental service in stabilising a victim. By saving just one life, they are saving ten more.” He added that the road safety initiative was unique in the sense that it brought private and public emergency services together in one arena.
“They are each other’s eyes and ears at all times, aware of what is happening and what must be done. It gives me peace of mind that motorists travelling through Bloemfontein and on our highways are in good hands.” Herman Steyn, the owner of the Shell Ultra City Pitstop in Bloemfontein, started the initiative 13 years ago. “What makes this year’s event interesting but touching my heart more is the fact that the whole nation is mourning the death of
‘Our main focus is to en hance safety on the roads and to give sup port if there is an acci dent. We want to make motorists and their pas sengers feel safe when they travel through Bloemfontein.’ – Hein Rossouw, the manag er of Life Rosepark Hospital Madiba. It is also a privilege for us to honour Madiba on this day. “Madiba has contributed a lot to our country. We have learnt a lot of lessons from him. For us as businessmen and citizens of South Africa, I think we must take his vision for the country forward. If we work together we can make South Africa a better country.” He thanked the police, traffic officers, firefighters, paramedics, Aerocare and Life Rosepark
Hospital for their continuous partnership. “These people are doing a great job to save lives especially at this time of year. They do their work with passion and are putting Bloemfontein on the map. “Through this initiative we’re not only helping Shell Untra City Pitstop clients, but all the motorists who drive through Bloemfontein.” Steyn’s advice to motorists and pedestrians: “Don’t drink and drive. If you see an indicator flashing, don’t assume that the driver is going to turn. Wait until the car has turned because the flashing of an indicator is just a sign that the indicator is working.” Hein Rossouw, the manager of Life Rosepark Hospital, said they were delighted to be part of the campaign that was aimed at saving lives on the roads. “Our main focus is to enhance safety on the roads and to give support if there is an accident. We want to make motorists and their passengers feel safe when they travel through Bloemfontein. “This is a coordinated effort, it is not only a paramedic team. We also have the government and media involved in this initiative.” The team will camp at the Shell Ultra City Pitstop in Kenneth Kaunda Road (formerly Eeufees Road) in Bloemfontein throughout the festive season. They will patrol the N1, N3 and N6 highways. “We’ll also be giving motorists some road safety tips and advice on what they should do if there is an accident. The other thing is we’ll be reminding them to check their tyres and rest every two hours,” Rossouw said.
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Be blessed this Christmas } Pastor Willie Norris
CLOSE FRIEND: Ahmed Kathrada, the struggle veteran, speaking at the state funeral of his late friend, former president Nelson Man dela, held in Qunu in the Easern Cape. Photo: GCIS
Goodbye to a friend } Sidwell Guduka
For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za
SPEAKER after speaker on Sunday praised South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela as a man who had united and freed his nation by fighting to end racist rule and then embracing forgiveness and reconciliation. Mandela, the father of the nation, died on 5 December and was laid to rest in Qunu on Sunday. Ahmed Kathrada, who had been imprisoned on Robben Island with Mandela, said: “Your abundant reserves of love, simplicity, honesty, service, humility, care, courage, foresight, patience, tolerance, equality and justice serve as a source of enormous strength to many millions of people in South Africa and the world. “Today, mingled with our grief, is an enormous pride that one of our own has during his lifetime and now in his death united the people of South Africa and the entire world on a scale never before experienced in history. My life is in a void, and I don’t know who to turn to,” said this close friend of Madiba. Pres. Jacob Zuma said Mandela’s death was the end of an
extraordinary journey that had begun 95 years ago. “It is the end of 95 glorious years, of a freedom fighter, a dedicated and humble servant of the people of South Africa, fountain of wisdom, a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for all those fighting for a just and equitable world order. “Your long walk to freedom has ended in a physical sense. Our own journey continues. We wish today to express two simple words: Thank you. Thank you for being everything we wanted and needed in a leader during a difficult period in our lives.” Meanwhile, Bishop Don Dabula, said Mandela had given his life for the sake of justice and freedom, had lived the world healing practices of forgiveness and inclusivity, compassion and integrity. “We praise and thank you, God, for Mandela, for his faithfulness to your call, his example of justice, peace and reconciliation and his courage to endure suffering, rejection and persecution for the sake of others.” Leaders and heads of state from across the globe attended the funeral which was televised live to billions of viewers.
CHRISTMAS and the festive season of 2013 will remain in the hearts of all South Africans and the world as a landmark with the death of the late pres. Nelson Mandela. The week of mourning has brought us all to a place of unity, emotional sharing and mainly a challenge for all, to face the future
with a new determination. What a difference it will make if we all follow the example of this great man. It will make a difference and bring our country to a total new approach to make us live in harmony and united. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life so that the people of the world would follow Him. He taught his disciples to do what He did. Then we see someone rising in the world with these teachings of Jesus. It was Nelson Mandela. He was an extension of the hand of Jesus. We are all supposed to be this extension of Jesus that will touch
other lives. Touch them to experience the love that Jesus has. As a country we see how this extension of the hand of Jesus has touched not only us in South Africa, but the whole world. We grant Nelson Mandela his eternal rest, and comfort for his wife, family and relatives. As we remember the birth of Jesus who was born to save us from the power of sin to become His children, let this Christmas bring new meaning and joy to you. Have a blessed Christmas and festive season and a happy New Year full of God’s blessing.
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SA Sign Language development must become a priority OUR airways and print media have over the past few days been inundated with comments and outcries over the quality of sign language interpretation at the memorial service for former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on 10 December. Whilst the Department of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities was not consulted or involved with the logistical arrangements, the department nonetheless would like to use this opportunity to ensure that this unfortunate incident acts as a catalyst to promote and protect the rights of all South Africans, also deaf South Africans. Madiba taught us that true freedom could only come about when we liberate the oppressed and the oppressor. Chapter 2, Section 16(1) and (2) of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, guarantees freedom of expression and opinion. The Constitution places the responsibility to promote the
development, usage and recognition of sign Language as the first language of deaf South Africans, with the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB). The deaf community has been represented on the board since its inception, and PANSALB employs deaf persons to help effect the mandate. It is therefore important that we take a critical look at ourselves with regards to progress made in achieving this constitutional obligation. South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol without reservation in 2007 (http:// www.un.org/disabilities). The convention obliges states parties to take specific measures that will promote the rights of persons with disabilities, including the right to equal access to information and communication and freedom of expression and opinion through freedom to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas on an equal basis with others. Such measures could include the provision of professional Sign Language interpreters (Article 9); by providing information intended for the public to persons with disabilities in accessible formats (Article 2); accepting and facilitating the use of Sign Languages (Article 21) and recognising and supporting specific cultural and linguistic identity. The deaf community during the compilation of the baseline Country Report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities voiced their concern that government measures to date had been inadequate for any significant promotion of the linguistic identity of deaf persons. Many deaf learners are not taught in Sign Language due to the lack of Sign Language skills of educators. Many deaf children are not attending school due to the lack of Sign Language medium schools
closer to home. The majority of deaf South Africans therefore speaks a variety of Sign Language dialects, often not understood by formally trained SASL interpreters. There is currently only seven SASL interpreters accredited with the South African Translators Institute (SATI), and the challenges brought about by the lack of a universal South African Sign Language and disunity within the deaf sector are delaying progress in accrediting many of the interpreters trained at universities as well as through organisations such as Sign Language Education and Development (SLED). Let this incident rally the country as a whole around collectively fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities in general, and the full recognition of South African Sign Language as a 12th official language in particular.
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Singer counting her blessings } Teboho Setena THE emerging gospel singer Lisa, whose real name is Nombuyiselo Nziweni-Motsamai, is celebrating the breaking of the silence she endured before the release of her debut album. Hold Me was released in October and launched in November. “Hold Me is a special song. I composed it in the studio and never rehearsed it. I just sang from the heart. “Through it I’m asking God to protect me and I know there is nothing I want to do without His blessing,” said Lisa. She completed recording the 10-track gospel album late in 2010. But this came after the silent pain of waiting for almost three years due to the lack of funds. “Criticism by people I was hoping would help and whose judgement in music I trusted, contributed to my devastation. “I knocked on various doors for financial assistance and looked for a potential deal, but I was told my album was not a product that would sell. I was advised to return to the studio to perfect it.” Lisa said her frustration had begun when the person who had promised to help her release and market the album had reneged on the promise. “The person disappeared and never phoned. I cried for three years, not knowing what to do. I approached certain established gospel artists but they turned me down. “It was painful and nobody felt the pain except me. I carried the demo in my bag wherever I went, but I never wanted to listen to it because at the time it did not bring me any joy.”
Confused following the negative criticism, she was faced with a dilemma. “I did not know whether to release the demo or not. I even doubted that it would appeal to people,” said Lisa. An interview with a local community radio station saw a complete turnaround of Lisa’s situation. The interview unlocked the door. “The presenter played the whole CD and listeners phoned in, expressing interest to purchase the CD,” she said. The one thing the listeners did not know, was that Lisa only had a single copy available. Subsequently, a well-known local pastor, who also was due for an interview on the same programme, purchased 60 copies. With the money she had received from the pastor Lisa then produced copies and since then the demand has been huge. “I was very emotional. I cried because it was a miracle. I also cried because at that time I did not have copies of the CD to sell. I believe this was a blessing from God and I’m so grateful to God,” said Lisa. She told Express that prior to releasing the album she even volunteered to perform at various events to market her CD. “I did this in the hope of raising funds and to get a prospective deal to release my album.” This gospel singer is overwhelmed with joy at the turn of events and this is clear when she performs on stage. Gifted with a melodious voice, Lisa gets her audience hooked, singing with joy to give glory to God for helping her break free from the misery that overshadowed her talent.
JOY AT LAST: Rising local gospel artist Lisa beams with joy on receiving a huge response to her debut album, Hold Me. Photo: Teboho Setena
“I’m so happy. This is God’s miracle and I’m grateful for his blessings. I have been praying that He sees me through.” Last month she reached another milestone when she shared the stage with one of South Africa’s respected female artists, Hlengiwe Mhlaba. She attributes her steady rise to a good working relationship with the youthful group Deep Sound Band. The album sees Lisa’s return to the stage after 12 years of absence. In 2001 she quit after she had been a member of the popular Thabong’s Woza Theatre group and her
failed venture in jazz. “It did not work out and I chose gospel which is my first love.” In her music career she was a backing vocalist for another Goldfields golden boy, Press (real name Preston Sihlangu), and shared the stage with jazz guru Hugh Masikela and Ringo Mandlingozi. Lisa’s involvement with the Woza Theatre Group saw her perform at the G8 World Summit in Berlin, Germany, in 1999. Musically she has been influenced by Rebecca Malope, Benjamin Dube and Thandiswa Mazwai.
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NEWS
Elders celebrate icon’s life } Tladi Moloi
THE cold and rainy weather last Tuesday could not stop South Africans from celebrating the life of the late former president Nelson Mandela. The Nobel Peace Prize winner died peacefully at his Houghton home in Johannesburg on 5 December. As the world gathered at the FNB Stadium for his memorial service, others around the country who could not make it to the stadium paid tribute to this hero in their own unique way. In Tshiame B near Harrismith elders aged between 50 and 90 years came together in the Apostolic Faith Mission Church to celebrate. The event was organised by the Masibonisanene Project and, according to the project manager, Collen Charlie, was successful. Charlie said they had seen it fit to invite all the elders to celebrate with them because they were the ones who knew about Apartheid and what the late Madiba had done. “Initially we wanted to make it a celebration for them before Christmas, but we changed our minds as time went by because we could not just celebrate after an icon had passed away,” he said. Charlie said that it hadn’t been the first time they had invited elders to a party but, unfortunately, this year it clashed with Mandela’s memorial service. Makateng Mosia (81) said at first he could not believe that Mandela had died. He said it is painful to lose such a leader. “We are what we are because of him.
REST IN PEACE: The elders from Tshiame B in Harrismith with newspapers sporting the late former president Nelson Mandela.
Photo: Tladi Moloi
We’ll always remember him because he was the one who had fought for our people. He did his part, may his soul rest in peace,” said Mosia. There were posters where Madiba’s
service was held and all those who attended said that Mandela would always be remembered for the good things he had done for the world. Rebecca Matsaseng (60) said: “We are still
hurting. Mandela did unbelievable things for us. He was like a saviour to the South African people because he sacrificed his life in fighting for black people.”
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
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NEWS
ON TARGET: Paballo Mogoera of the Free State showed off his bowling skill at the Coca Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week in Durban on Monday. Photo: Supplied
Young cricketers show their skill
THE 2013 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week kicked off in Durban on Monday. The five-day event will see 200 of the top u.19 schoolboy cricketers from around the country showing off their talent and new heroes will be made. Teams representing Cricket South Africa’s 16 provincial unions will play in three formats of the game: timed cricket, 50 overs and T20. The u.19 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week is seen within cricket circles as a stepping stone for teenagers who want to play professional cricket and ultimately represent South Africa at an international level. Over 200 players who have come through the week have gone on to play for South Africa, including the three captains currently leading the test, ODI and T20 teams: Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. Kearsney College in Botha’s Hill will be the central hub for the week, with matches played there, on surrounding fields and in the Durban area, including the Kingsmead Oval. At the end of the week a South African Schools and a South African Schools Colts team will be announced and they will play against Dolphins teams on 21
December. The fixtures for the first three days of play are announced beforehand, with the games for the remaining days being arranged on a strength versus strength basis afterwards. There is no official overall winner at the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week. The two teams who consistently play the best throughout the week will meet on the main field on the final day and the winner of that game takes home the trophy. “Our new campaign expression for all our youth properties, Where Heroes are Made, epitomises Coca-Cola South Africa’s message and our reason for sponsoring development,” Fetsi Mbele, IMC marketing assets manager, Coca-Cola South Africa, said. “The success of any national team is directly linked to what happens at school level and we are proud to have played such a crucial part in helping the Proteas become the number one test playing nation in the world, and not far behind are the ODI and T20 versions of the game. The future Proteas players will be in the making in Durban in December,” he concluded.
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
Ntanga positive about encounter
} Sidwell Guduka
ON FORM: Vuyani Ntanga is Bloemfontein Celtic’s chief pain inflictor.
Photo: Backpagepix/Gerhard Steenkamp
‘I’m positive we’ll win our remaining matches before the Christmas break to move up the ta ble. We want to end the year on a positive note.’ – Vuyani Ntanga
VUYANI NTANGA, Bloemfontein Celtic’s chief pain inflictor, believes that his club will continue from where they left off against Golden Arrows when they square off with Ajax Cape Town tonight. The sides will battle it out for three points when they meet in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Cape Town Stadium. The kickoff is scheduled for 19:30. Phunya Sele Sele defeated Abafana Besthende 3-0 in their most recent game in Botshabelo and they will be hoping to continue their fine form against Ajax. “We are going to Cape Town hoping to register our third successive win. It is going to be an entertaining match, especially after they defeated Maritzburg United in their last game. “Hopefully we’ll collect maximum points to improve our log position,” Ntanga told Express. Ntanga has been scoring crucial goals for Celtic and should feature in the bigger plans of coach Ernst Middendorp, who has turned the
Free State side into a well-oiled machine. The 25-year-old Klerksdorp-born midfielder was key for Siwelele when they destroyed both Orlando Pirates and Arrows with a 3-2 (away) and 3-0 (home) win in their last two outings. Ntanga scored a goal in each match to help Celtic move into the top eight bracket. “It was nice to score against Pirates and Arrows. I’m planning to make it a habit to score in every match I play. I know my opponents will be giving me special attention, but I’ll try to use every chance I get.” Ntanga is loved by hordes of Celtic fans, but he believes he still has to improve a lot before rating amongst the best. “I’m happy about my current form, but it is not enough. There is much space for improvement. I have always been a hard worker and that will never change. “My teammates at Celtic are very supportive of me. Credit should be given to them for my improved form. We work as a team at Celtic and everybody understands how the coach wants us to play.
“Coach Middendorp is also supportive of us and we have never lost a match since he took over as head coach. If we continue to play to his instructions I don’t see any team stopping us.” Celtic are currently placed eighth on the log table with 16 points from 12 matches, while Ajax are sitting on position nine with the same number of points and games. The Bloemfontein side next travels to Johannesburg for a date with Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday. The match starts at 20:15. “I’m positive we’ll win our remaining matches before the Christmas break to move up the table. We want to end the year on a positive note.” ) The Bloemfontein Celtic Supporters Club has organised a trip to the Celtic versus Wits match on Saturday. The return fare is R300, match ticket included. Buses will depart from the Celtic offices in Elizabeth Street on match-day at 11:00. For more information call Moipone on 076-824-7183.
A president worthy of the Green and Gold
To read previous issues of Express, visit www.expressnews.co.za
THEIR friendship helped forge a new country, the white rugby player and the black president who came to represent South Africa’s racial reconciliation. Former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar remembered Nelson Mandela in a television interview broadcast Sunday, hours after the anti-Apartheid leader was laid to rest in a state funeral in his rural homeland in the Eastern Cape. His lasting recollections, Pienaar said, were the former president’s smile after South Africa’s famous victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, and Mandela’s distinctive “booming voice” when they first met.
While South Africa’s emotional farewell to Mandela reached a climax as he was buried, the handshake between the two men after the Springboks’ triumph over New Zealand nearly two decades ago is enshrined as a lasting image of South Africa’s newfound unity just a year after the dismantling of Apartheid and the first all-race elections that installed Mandela as president. “It was so nice to see his smile when he celebrated with us after I had the privilege to lift the cup,” Pienaar recalled on the television programme Carte Blanche. “And for the first time in our country’s very fragile, young
democracy we were world champions. We were all winners.” Mandela died on 5 December at the age of 95 and Pienaar has spoken little publicly since then of the intimate moments he had shared with the president that had led to that defining moment. Mandela’s role as South Africa’s unifier, the peacemaker who led his country from the brink of race war to the inclusive Rainbow Nation, was perfectly illustrated by his decision to back the Springboks in 1995, a team formerly allwhite and closely associated with the previous racist government. The freedom fighter and political
prisoner’s willingness to also bond with Pienaar, the blondhaired Afrikaans captain, told South Africans of all races that they should come together. Dressed in his green and gold Springboks blazer, Pienaar spoke in the interview of their very first meeting in the weeks before the rugby tournament when the player was invited to Mandela’s office. Why? Why does he want to see me, and then, what will I say? Pienaar remembered thinking of Mandela’s call. “So I had no clue what the conversation was going to be about. When I was sitting outside his office . . . he heard that I was there and he walked
out and he was walking toward me. (He) shook my hand and then immediately spoke Afrikaans. Our conversation for the next hour was predominantly in Afrikaans. He shared some wonderful stories about his village, about him, about Robben Island, about sport and about Apartheid.” Mandela’s biggest surprise was wearing one of Pienaar’s jerseys to the final, an act that cemented his support for the Springboks, won over rugby-loving whites and changed the attitudes of black South Africans toward a team they previously hated as an extension of apartheid. – Sport24.co.za